Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - History Other GeorgesJacques Danton and Leadership GeorgesJacques Danton and Leadership What is a leader? A leader as described by Webster’s Dictionary is, “person who has commanding authority or influence.” A man in history who certainly fits that description is Georges-Jacques Danton of France. Danton had a trouble childhood that included losing his father before his third birthday, and having several encounters with animals that would eventually leave him deformed for life. Danton’s early political promise showed most one day in grade school. Back then, the punishment for students was not detentions or demerits, but instead they were struck on the fingers with a ruler. One day, Danton’s friend Paré could not recite the assigned text, but refused to put out his hands for punishment. So, Danton stood in his defense and spoke out against the corporal punishment. He spoke so well, that the administration of the school banned that type of punishment. He special ability to speak publicly became he key trait to persuade audiences of all types to concur with his views and really listen to what he had to say, and in turn made him out to be one of the most respected leaders of the French Revolution. Georges-Jacques Danton’s leadership inspired the elimination of monarchy in France and the introduction of a republic as seen from his duties in the National Convention, Committee of Public Safety and his role during the Reign of Terror. First, Georges-Jacques Danton’s significant leadership during the French Revolution was highlighted by his efforts to partake in the National Convention. The National Convention was similar to our modern Congress, and it passed bills and undertook the same responsibilities as our Congress. One can observe that Danton was an upstanding political leader in France during his time from the quickness at which he was voted to his chair in the Convention. He was voted as a delegate of Paris before fellow colleagues Desmoulins and Robespierre. He also had the character to resign from the cabinet in order to put his full efforts into the National Convention. He wanted so bad to wipe out the monarchy so on January the 16th of 1793, he voted with the majority to have king Louis XVI executed (Dwyer, 81). In conclusion, Georges-Jacques Danton was an outstanding figure that fought for the rights of the people during the French Revolution. Georges-Jacques Danton’s leadership roles can also be seen from his work in the Committee of Public Safety. The National Convention adopted the Committee of Public Safety in efforts to defend the new regime established by them. Danton’s primary responsibility on the Committee of Public Safety was national defense. He had to protect the people at all costs, and at the same time, he had to deal with foreign affairs (Dwyer, 87). Other monarchial countries were concerned that the idea of a republic would spread to their people, and thus start rebellions all over. These countries wanted to siege France and stop this so-called nonsense at once. After the death of Gabrielle, one of Danton’s colleagues, he attempted to draw up a new constitution, known as the Constitution of 1791. This proposal, however, was rejected by the Convention, but Danton continued to speak in front of the members in efforts to persuade them to agree with his views (Dwyer, 89). In summary, Danton’s hard work in the National Convention displayed his leadership throughout the French Revolution. Lastly, Georges-Jacques Danton should be recognized for his work during and after the Reign of Terror. The Reign of Terror was by definition a, “brutal program initiated the French National Conventions Committee of Public Safety to silence critics of the republic.” In 1793 the Law of Suspects, which stated that, “those who have shown themselves the enemies of liberty, those who cannot justify their means of existence and the performance of their civic duties,” were enemies of the republic, was issued. After the introduction of the Law of Suspects, Danton retreated in to the country to get away from the chaos, but his stay was cut short due to a message in Paris that insisted his return because of the brewing turmoil that turned against him and his followers. Danton quoted that, “I [Danton] shall break that damned guillotine before long, or I [Danton] shall fall under it.” since the use of the guillotine as an execution device became widespread and frequently used during that time. In effort to cease the Reign of Terror, Danton attempted to re-establish the Olympic games. This was a task that Danton could not achieve, so he persisted in finding other ways to bring an end to this bedlam. The Committee of General Security, the Revolutionary Tribunal, and the guillotine ruled France during this mass hysteria. He spoke about this so-called justice of the three figurative rulers of France with hopes of eliminating it, but again was not successful (Dwyer, 97). Later, more and more people turned against him and his colleague Maximilien Robespierre, and Jacques-René Hébert asked if Danton would form an alliance against Robespierre, but he rejected the offer and continued his support towards him (Dwyer, 98). This rejection, however, would determine Danton’s “side” in the political devastation, that would send him to the guillotine to be beheaded where he was formally charged with personal misconduct and treason (Dwyer, 99). To wrap things up, Danton’s determination to revive his political principles, but he died trying. In conclusion, the leadership displayed by Georges-Jacques Danton was evident in his partaking in the National Convention, Committee of Public Safety, and his composure during the Reign of Terror. His perseverance to never give up was a key characteristic that made him who he was. If he just backed down and quit whenever adversity stood in his way, then France’s political and governmental structures would be a lot different then there are now. Danton can be compared to contemporary leaders that fought for the rights of Americans. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are two men that come to mind in comparison to Danton. All three gentlemen, respectively, were people never gave up, but continued to strive to let their messages be heard. And all three men were outstanding orators who mastered public speaking, which in turn made their ideas relate more powerfully. The last, but disappointing similarity between the three leaders is that they were all cut short of their opportunities to continue to spread their word and speak their minds. If these gentlemen were able to carry on their goals of freedom from idealistic societies, then maybe this world would be that much better than it is today. So in closing, remember that there is a lesson to be learned from all of this: One must strive to reach their goals, or else there is no point for goals to be set. Bibliography: Dwyer, Frank. Danton. New York: Chelsea House. 1987. Hembree, Fred and Connelly, Owen. The French Revolution. Wheeling, Illinois: Harlan Davidson, 1993 Larson Perder. The French Revolution. Internet. http://members.aol.com/agentmess/frenchrev/index.html. 13 Oct. 1999. Word Count: 1123
Copyright © 2005 College Term Papers, INC All Rights Reserved.